Bergen: cruise port guide

Does your cruise call at Bergen? Andrew Stone selects the best things to see and do in Norway's charming habourfront town, with tips on where to eat, drink and shop.

Fish market in front of the Domkirken, Bergen, Norway

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Why go?

The picturesque, UNESCO heritage-listed port of Bergen is today arguably Norway's most appealing city. Medieval wooden houses clinging to higgledy-piggledy streets, a buzzing cafe and nightlife culture, together with a stunning natural setting ringed by mountains and lakes is a hard combination to beat. It is culturally rich too; home to thriving music and theatre scenes and features a packed festivals calendar. It is also a great base for exploring some of Norway's most dramatic fjords.

Getting around

The Flybussen (flybussen.no), a 45-minute bus ride between Bergen's airport and main bus station, runs twice hourly. Bergen's hilly centre is compact and most of the sights and eating options lie close to the harbour.

What to do

Hanseatic Museum

Along Bryggen, one of the best preserved clusters of wooden buildings, this museum in an old merchant's house is furnished in 18th-Century style.Address: Finnegårdsgaten 1a.Contact: 55 54 46 90, museumvest.no.Prices: 55kr (under 16s free).Opening hours: noon-5pm daily May-Sept, 11am-2pm Sept.

Hanseatic Museum, one of the oldest and best preserved wooden buildings in Bergen

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West Norway Museum of Decorative Art

The five centuries of artefacts from porcelain and furniture to textiles and jewellery on show here makes an eclectic but fascinating tour of Norway's applied arts. Don't miss the new, permanent Bergen silverware exhibition.

Where to eat & drink

Boha

Set menus of modern Scandinavian food are the thing at Boha, for example Lobster lasagne or reindeer tenderloin with rosemary and roasted root vegetables. It's one of the best fine dining options in town in a colourful, contemporary space.Address: Vaskerelven.Contact: 00 47 5531 3160; boha.no.Opening hours: Dinner Mon-Sat.Prices: Four-course menu 595kr.

Escalon

Arrive early or book ahead if you want to get into this very popular tapas restaurant. There's a smaller branch at Neumann Gate 5, which also offers takeaways.Address: Ventrllisdsam 21.Contact: 00 47 5532 9099; escalon.no.Prices: Tapas from 29-160kr.Opening hours: 3pm-1am Mon-Fri & Sun, 1pm-1am Sat.